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Okapi, Bamboutis Pygmies, Niragongo Volcano and Lowland Gorilla Tour in Kahuzi Biega - 15 Days
offered by supplier M17362 (view this supplier profile)
Key Information:
Tour Duration: 14
- 15
day(s)
Group Size: 2
- 16
people
Destination(s):
Congo
Zaire
Rwanda
Specialty Categories:
Ecotourism
National Parks
Season: January - December
Airfare Included: No
Tour Customizable: No
Minimum Per Person Price: 2900 US Dollar (USD)
Maximum Per Person Price: 2950 US Dollar (USD)
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Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive at Kigali airport- you will be welcomed by our professional and local guides - transfer to Goma in The Drc Congo. Overnight at Ihusi or Linda Hotel.
Day 2 - 3: Transfer to Epulu Via Butembo. Epulu is home to many okapis. Found only in the Congo, The Okapi (Okapia johnstoni) is a mammal living in the Ituri Rainforest in the Congo. Although it bears striped markings reminiscent of the zebra, it is most closely related to the giraffe. Okapis have dark backs, with striking horizontal white stripes on the front and back legs, making them resemble zebras from a distance. These markings are thought to help young follow their mothers through the dense rain forest; they also serve as camouflage. The body shape is similar to that of the giraffe, except that okapis have much shorter necks. Both species have very long (approx. 30 cm or 12 inch), flexible, blue tongues that they use to strip leaves and buds from trees. it is one of the few mammals that can lick its own ears.
Day 4: Early morning Visit of Okapi. After lunch- trekking into the tropical forest with pygmies up to their villages. We will pass the night in Bambuti village in tentes. The Bambuti live in villages that are categorized as bands. Each hut houses a family unit. At the start of the dry season, they leave the village to enter the forest and set up a series of camps. This way the Bambuti are able to utilize more land area for maximum foraging. These villages are solitary and separated from other groups of people. Their houses are small, circular, and very temporary. The walls of the structures are poles that are placed in the ground. At the top of the poles a vine is woven to keep them together. Large leaves are also used in the construction of the huts.
Day 5: Go hunting with Pygmees. Back late in the afternoon at Epulu station. The Bambuti pygmees, are primarily hunter-gatherers, foraging for food in the forest. They have a vast knowledge of the forest and the foods it yields. The Bambuti use large nets, traps, and bows and arrows to hunt game. Women and children sometimes help out by trying to drive the animals into the nets. Both sexes gather and forage. Each band has its own hunting ground, although boundaries are hard to maintain. We should be able to follow such a group into the forest where, possibly taking our tents and camp near to their bands, we spend the night around the camp fire, listening to their endless hunting stories while they smoke their cannabis water pipes. Overnight.
Day 6: Back again on the road through the forest. We drive eastwards up to Bunia. After Bunia, the track leads to huge villages living from gold mining. Visit of the Kilomoto Mining. Overnight in Bunia.
Day 7 - 8: Back to Goma via Butembo.
Day 9: Early morning after Break- Trekking in the forest on the edge of the Virunga mountain chain to find one of the last mountain gorilla families in the world - back in the afternoon and transfer to Goma. Overnight.
Day 10: after an early breakfast, departure to Nyiragongo Volcano.
- 7.30 am: beginning of the Volcano climbing, lunch.
- 18 .00 pm: dinner and overnight stay in tented campement on the volcano. We admire the glow of the hot lavaflow.
Day 11: Back to Goma. Visit of the Green lake in Mugunga.
Day 12: Transfer to the busy port of Goma to have a boat ride on Lake Kivu to Bukavu. En route to the south, enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the calm and pristine waters and the ragged shore of Africa’s highest lake, an extraordinarily beautiful inland sea enclosed by steep green terraced hills, lush plantain fields and remaining relics of misty rainforest to offer sweeping views over hundreds of small islands.
Day 13: Trekking for 2 to 3 hours in mountainous jungle area of Kahuzi Biega national park, to find the Lowland Gorilla family. The species here are eastern lowland gorilla and not Mountain Gorillas found in Virunga national park. Unlike the chimpanzee-like lowland gorillas found in Gabon and Congo Brazzaville, The kahuzi biega Gorillas are large about the size of mountain Gorilla, so you definitely won’t be disappointed- Back late in the afternoon at the Hotel in Bukavu.
Day 14: Transfer to Kigali Rwanda via Cyangungu border. The journey through this road is a combination of wonderful views of beautiful hills, Tropical forest of Nyungwe, a clear view of lake Kivu and others.
Day 15: Kigali city tour. Shopping. Transfer to the airport for departure flight.
The tariff includes: Airport transfers, Accommodation, Ground transportation by 4x4 tourist Land Cruiser or minibus, English speaking Driver/Guide, All park Entrance fees, taxes
The tariff does not include: Gorilla permits, Air ticket, Tourist insurance/ local health insurance, Entrance visas, Meals, drinks and tips.
Terms and Conditions:
*Reservations: We require a 40% deposit of the total tour cost upon confirmation of the tour. The balance ca be payed upon arrival. For bookings coming one month before departure we shall require the full payment of the tour costs. The payment is made by international money transfer to the company bank account in Rwanda or Congo Drc.
*Cancellations:
- All cancellation penalties depend on the number of days before tour departure:
- Before 50 days: Full refund
- Between 50 days and 25 days: Refund of 70% of the deposit
- Less than 25 days: No refund
- There is no refund of any unused portion of your tour once commenced.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Also see tour packages in:
Africa
Congo
Zaire
Rwanda
Ecotourism
National Parks
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